AFCON: NFF dismisses Newcastle’s claim on Ameobi

The Nigeria Football Federation has debunked a claim by Newcastle that Shola Ameobi will skip next month’s African Cup of Nations and that coach Stephen Keshi is aware of this.

“We are not aware of such a thing about Shola (Ameobi), he is a FIFA-listed player for us. The federation is not aware, the head coach is not aware of this and that was why Shola was called up for the competition.

“We will do all within us to see that Shola or any player picked by the coach for the Nations Cup is released to us,” spokesman for the NFF, Ademola Olajire, told MTNFootball.com.

Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, said Shola Ameobi will not be going to the Nations Cup with Nigeria, according to BBC sports.

The Kogi State indigene is on the 32-man provisional squad released by Keshi last week.

Pardew said: “Shola won’t be going. The national team manager knows the reasons, which I am keeping to myself.”

Ameobi made an encouraging debut in a 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela last month, setting up the third goal in Miami.